16. A Three-Part Plan: Restore Democracy and Reduce Inequality

A recent study by Gilens and Page shows that in the United States, the wealthy elite control the economic
and political systems at the national level and in many states. This video explains
why that is a problem and how it creates a dysfunctional democracy which does not serve the
needs of We the People.

The next 4 years will be difficult for many of uswho
want to build a more inclusive and progressive democratic society.The way
the new administration is shaping up is a cause for concern. However, these
times present an opportunity to mobilize and stand up for our values. As the
saying goes, "Don't Agonize, Organize!"

Another saying that comes to mind at this time is, "If
you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."We the
People have to let everyone know where we stand and what are our values. Also,
we need a general action plan for the next 4 years. Here is my suggestion:

Third - Take
Action and publicly stand up for your values. Here are several action
ideas:
1.Wear a Wristbands 4 Justiceto
stand up for your progressive values in a public way. It will remind you
everyday about the values for which you stand. (a safety pin, bumper sticker,
or window sticker are other ways)

2. Participate
in regular coordinated peaceful rallies at your state capital or community
public square supporting an
economic/political system that works for everyone (similar to the 9/12/2016
Moral Monday national action). We must
be in the public square regularly. I suggest type of rally be held two times per year, one on the Saturday before
Earth Day in April and one on the Saturday before the International
Day of Peace in September.

3. Sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of the American Anti-Corruption Act at Represent.Us which
has the following 3 goals:

* Stop political bribery so
special interests can't use job offers and donations to influence politicians.

* End secret money so people know who is buying
political power.

* Give voters a stronger voice by
changing how elections are funded.

4. Join one of the email lists of the Brennan Center for Justice​ and work to
improve our representative democracy in at least one of the following ways:

* Reforming
redistricting procedures by using independent redistricting
commissions in each state to stop gerrymandering.
* Expanding voter participation
with automatic voter registration, 15 day early voting, same day
registration, election day a holiday, stop voter suppression, stop voter list
purges for not voting, ranked choice voting, national popular vote for
President, open primaries, term limits, etc.

* Minimize
money's role in the political system with citizen funding of
campaigns and full disclosure of all campaign funds.

5.Join the email list of and support the work of United for a Fair Economy to reduce the extreme economic inequality of the last 40
years. They support:

* sustainability and equity, where individuals
do not accumulate excesses of wealth to the detriment of others or the planet.

* a robust public sector that works for the
common good, funded through progressive taxes and accountable to the people.

* jobs with dignity and living wages, where
workeres have the democratic right to organize and share the wealth
produced by their labor.

Also, consider
getting the Inequality Weekly from the Institute for Policy Studies.
Please support and publicize these ideas. This will not be easy or quick but it is an essential part of
fixing our dysfunctional democracy.

TRANSLATE

SUPPORT THE AMERICAN ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT AND MOVE TO AMEND

American Anti-Corruption Act - Click HERE to read about it and become a citizen co-sponsor. Join the over 662,250 American who say money should not rule!Move to Amend -Click HERE to support this constitutional amendment that says corporations are not people and money is not speech.

TWO GREAT QUOTES

"A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy."- T. Roosevelt

"We can have democracy, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." - L. Brandeis

PROGRESSIVE RESOURCES

Click HERE for 'Progressive Information' which has information progressive can use and share.

Click HEREfor "Stand Up 4 Democracy" with ideas about rebuilding our broken political system so it works for everyone not just the wealthy corporate elite.